he resorted to the less
risky method of shutting his eyes, and dropping six blots on his paper.
This happy expedient was only partially successful, as none of the blots
fell anywhere near any of the names. Finally, as time was growing
short, he put down his own name on the paper, and resolved to sacrifice
his other votes. And when he had done it, he rather wondered the idea
had never struck him before.

Our heroes meanwhile were busy with their own lists, which, under Dick's
guiding influence, rapidly filled up with a set of good names. When it
came to their own Form they agreed that, being a "Firm" and all "in it,"
they were entitled each of them to vote for the "Firm" as a body; which
they did amid much mutual rejoicing.

At a quarter to four the big Hall began to fill. Everybody was there.
Fellows who were on the list, sanguine, anxious, touchy; fellows who
were not on the list, cross, sarcastic, righteous. Nearly every one had
his paper in his hand, which he furtively glanced through for the last
time before the summons to deposit it in the basket on the platform.

As before, the Sixth took rank as ordinary Templetonians, and no
distinction was made between monitor and junior, eligible and non-
eligible.

When the clock struck there were loud cries for Freckleton, who
accordingly ascended the dais, and, after waiting patiently for order,
proceeded to explain the order of election.

"I suppose," said he, "all of us who mean to vote have by this time
filled up our papers with the names of the fellows we think most worthy
to be elected on the new Club. You'd better have a last look to see you
haven't put down more than thirty names altogether, and that there are
not more than six in any one Form. Also make sure you have none of you
signed your names to the papers, as this is secret voting, and it's not
supposed to be known how any one has voted. Now, will fellows come up
by benches and drop their papers into the basket?"

The front bench, consisting chiefly of Sixth-form fellows, obeyed the
invitation, and deposited their papers in the receptacle. The rest of
the meeting could not forbear the luxury of a few cheers as popular and
unpopular seniors presented themselves; but, on the whole, the ceremony
was gone through rapidly and in an orderly fashion.

Among the juniors, the Firm walked solemnly up the room amid cheers and
cries of "Well run, puppies!" and gave in their votes. They glanced
nervously r